Airbus plans range-boosting jet before Boeing, Transat says

Airbus could build a longer-range version of its newest narrow-body jet by 2023, according to prospective buyer Air Transat, beating a competing Boeing model to the market. The Canadian carrier’s president, Jean-Francois Lemay, has been briefed by Airbus on its thinking regarding service entry for the proposed aircraft, as well as by leasing firm AerCap, the biggest supplier to its fleet, he said. A development of the existing A321neo known as the XLR for extra-long range, the Airbus plane is under consideration as Boeing mulls a launch decision for a family of mid-range jets with the working title New Mid-Market Aircraft, or NMA. That model is a wholly new design and wouldn’t reach operators until about 2025, CE Dennis Muilenburg said in July. <br/>